It’s an exciting time for our penguin colony here at Blair Drummond Safari Park! We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of two young Humboldt penguins, Skipper and Mola Mola, who have just moved in from Twycross Zoo. Both are 1 year old males, and they’re already settling into their new home alongside the rest of our penguin family.
A penguin love story in the making
This penguin swap is part of a national effort among UK zoos to balance populations and encourage breeding. Here at Blair Drummond, we’ve got more females than males. To give everyone the chance to find their perfect match, two of our lovely ladies, Cooper and Trixie, will be heading to London Zoo this month. In return, we’ve welcomed Skipper and Mola Mola with open flippers, hoping they’ll soon partner up with our unpaired females.
Humboldt penguins are typically monogamous animals, meaning once they find a mate, they tend to stick together for life. So we’re crossing our fingers (and flippers) that love will blossom.
Building a future for Humboldt penguins
At Blair Drummond, we’re proud to be part of a larger conservation effort. Humboldt penguins are classified as vulnerable in the wild, with their populations declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and overfishing. By working together with other UK zoos, we’re helping to ensure a healthy future for these incredible birds.
This year has already been an exciting one for our penguin colony, with three adorable chicks born in 2024. Now, with Skipper and Mola Mola joining the group, we’re hopeful that more fluffy penguin babies could be on the way next year!
When can you meet the newcomers?
Skipper and Mola Mola have quickly settled into their new surroundings, so if you’re planning a visit to Blair Drummond Safari Park soon, you might just spot them waddling around with the rest of the colony. Penguins are always a hit with our visitors, and we’re sure these new arrivals will be no exception.
Why not stop by the penguin pool and see if you can spot the new arrivals?